HEXA is the alpha subunit of the lysosomal enzyme beta-hexosaminidase which, combined with the cofactor GM2 activator protein, catalyzes the degradation of the ganglioseside GM2, and other molecules having N-acetyl hexosamines terminus. The two subunits composing Beta-hexosaminidase, alpha and beta, belong to the glycosyl hydrolases family and are encoded by distinct genes. Alpha subunit gene mutations can cause Tay-Sachs disease (GM2-gangliosesidosis type I).
HEXA produced in Sf9 Baculovirus cells is a single, glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 513 amino acids (23-529a.a.) and having a molecular mass of 59.2kDa.
(Molecular size on SDS-PAGE will appear at approximately 50-70kDa).
HEXA is expressed with a 6 amino acid His tag at C-Terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.